Longueur du repose-pinceaux en forme de ruyi : 21 cm. (8¹⁄₄ in.)

Iron ruyi brush rest: MD Flacks Ltd (according to label).
Yumu brush rest: MD Flacks Ltd. (according to label).
Stone scholar's rock brush rest: Flacks Private Collection (according to label).
Turquoise brush rest: With Hong Lu Hei, Hong Kong, acquired prior to 2010 (by repute)

ENSEMBLE DE TREIZE REPOSE-PINCEAUX
CHINE, LE REPOSE-PINCEAUX EN FORME DE RUYI, XVIIÈME-XVIIIÈME SIÈCLE; LES AUTRES, DYNASTIE QING (1644-1911)

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Lot Essay

The collection comprises an interesting group of brush rests, worked in different materials, that would have been displayed and appreciated in the rarified atmosphere of a scholar's studio. They would have been placed on the scholar’s table, and would serve as a reminder of the natural world and of life itself.
The group includes an unusual iron 'ruyi' brush rest with lacquered surface in the form of a naturalistic lingzhi stem, a rock crystal brush rest carved with an abstract swirling design, two organic-form scholar's rocks in stone and in metal, a boxwood double gourd brush rest, a turquoise brush rest and mountain-form soapstone and bamboo brush rests.
It is unusual for iron to be used for a brush rest and the time-consuming application of lacquer to the surface suggests a refined level of craftsmanship not usually employed for iron objects, or objects of such a humble nature.

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Condition report

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

We have sought to record changes in the condition of these pieces acquierd after their initial manufcture.
All brush rests have light age-related surface wear and scratches as expected.

Iron ruyi brush rest: 21 cm. wide
This is in good condition with traces of lacquer to the surface and a paper label to the underside.

Turquoise brush rest: 20.5 cm. wide
There are fissures to the surface and some pitting to the stone.

Boxwood brush rest: 8 cm. wide
There is an age-split measuring approx. 2.8 cm. long

Large soapstone mountain brush rest: 17 cm. wide
There are several fissures runnign the the stone visible to the base and to the sides and there is a small ground area to the underside of the base measuring approx. 4.5 cm. x 0.7 cm.. There are a few small chips to the edges of the base. The stand is made of pine and is in good condition. The wood is not subject to CITES.

Medium soapstone brush rest: 10.8 cm. wide, incised to the base with a six-character inscription
Theer are several small, shallow, nicks and chips to extremities of the base, the laregst measuring approx. 0.5 cm. x 0.2 cm.

Smallest soapstone brush rest: 8.6 cm. wide
the base and the brush rest are made in two sections and are joined together. There are some small nicks and chips to teh extremities and the edges of the base, the largest measuring 0.5 cm. x 0.5 cm.

Rock crystal brush rest: 12 cm wide
There is a small shallow chip to the underside of the base measuring approx. 0.5 cm. x 0.2 cm; a nick to the lower edge of one extremity; and some natural fissures to the crystal.

Larger scholar's rock brush rest: 13 cm. wide, padouk wood stand, non CITES
The brush rest and stand are in good overall condition. The base has a paper label reading Flacks Private Collection

Smaller metal scholar's rock-form brush rest: 9 cm. wide
There are a few small losses to the extremities and wear to the extremities to reveal a copper-tone patina.

White hardstone brush rest: 8 cm. wide
A few nicks and tiny chips to some extremities otherwise in good condition. Traces of a glue visible to the top of the softwood stand. The wood stand is a fruitwood and non CITES.

Bamboo brush rest: 11 cm. wide
There are a few small, shallow chips, nicks to the edges of the base otherwise good condition.

Yumu brush rest: 9.5 cm. wide
With MD Flacks Ltd paeprw label to base reading "07/12 4"

Paktong brush rest: 4.2 cm. wide
Good overall condition.

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